13th Annual 2026 Contest Entry Outline & Entry Form

🎸New Rule In 2026🎸
Finalists are entitled to perform live and enter the MVP Competition on July 10th in Honolulu. They will perform live before the full panel of judges to determine the MVP winner. Finalists who are unable to attend the award ceremony in person will not be eligible to compete in the MVP Competition. However, if they receive an award, they will still be entitled to their prize, which will be shipped via courier.

Entry Begins: Monday January 5th, 2026 12 noon (Hawaii Time)
Entry Deadline: Monday March 30th, 2026 12 noon (Hawaii Time)
Finalist Announcement: Sunday April 12th, 2026 (Hawaii Time)
MVP Competition & Award Ceremony: Friday July 10th, 2026 (Hawaii Time)
Event Venue: Royal Hawaiian Center 4F Rock-A-Hula Theater
Organizer: Ukulele Picnic Foundation of Hawaii
Producers: International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii
Sponsors: Kamaka Ukulele, Kanilea Ukulele, KoAloha Ukulele, KZOO Radio, Ginga Software
Organized by: International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii

 

GENERAL RULES

ELIGIBILITY:

• Open to ukulele enthusiasts who will be at least 3 years old as of January 1, 2026.
• Applicants must not be involved in commercial music activities or belong to any entertainment/production agency. (Amateur participants only)
• Ukulele instructors (those in a teaching/instructional role) are kindly asked not to participate, including as performers in group-entry videos.

ENTRY FEE:
Solo Entry:
US$10.00 per person
Group Entry:
US$20.00 per group
*No Kama'aina discount

DIVISIONS:

1. Solo: Keiki & Teens (ages 3 – 14)
2. Solo: Open (ages 15 and over)
3. Solo: Vocal (ages 3 and over)
4. Group: Open to groups of two or more

*Entry Age must be the age as of January 1, 2026

*Important Notes

• Parental consent is required for the contestants under the age of thirteen (13).
• For Group entry, everyone in the group must play ‘ukulele or your entry will be disqualified. Ukulele bass is permitted.
• Multiple entries in different categories are allowed.
• Same person is allowed to perform in multiple groups.

ENTRY SONG QUALIFICATION & VIDEO RULES:

• Your entry must qualify each category rules (age and composition).
• Past MVP winner, Grand Champion title winner and 1st place winner of each category are not eligible to enter the contest. Past 1st place winners must enter a different category to be eligible.
• Your entry video upload must be available for one year.
• 4-string or 4-course ukulele must be the leading instrument in its performance or group formation. Use of other instruments, such as guitar, are not allowed. Ukulele bass is ALLOWED.
• All songs must be no more than four (4) minutes in length.
• Video must be UNEDITED, in full length.
• AI-edited or AI-generated videos are not allowed.
• No electrical effects, including but not limited to equalizer, are allowed. Loopers are not allowed. Reverbs are allowed. Non-EQ Direct Boxes are accepted.
• Remote performance using online conference tools such as ZOOM are not allowed. Group members must meet face-to-face, maintain social distancing while recording the performance.
• Competitors are free to select the song of their choice: cover or original, instrumental or with vocals.
• Please make sure to add hashtag #internationalukulelecontest2026 in the title or description area of your YouTube video. This help viewers and our judges find your videos more easily through search.
• For Group entry, everyone in the group must play ‘ukulele or your entry will be disqualified.
• WINNERS WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE VIDEO ENTRY.

HOW TO ENTER:
Submit your application through the designated form on the official website and upload your performance video to YouTube by Monday March 30th, 2026 12 noon (Hawaii Time).
Please include the hashtag #internationalukulelecontest2026 in your video description.

All submitted videos will be reviewed to determine the recipients of the special awards, as well as the finalists.
Finalists will earn the opportunity to compete in the live performance MVP Competition in Hawaii.

Notes:

• Your entry will be confirmed once the entry fee has been paid.
• If the number of applications exceeds expectations, the entry deadline may close earlier than scheduled.
• If selected as a finalist, please indicate whether you are able to travel to Hawaii for the MVP Competition by checking the appropriate box on the entry form.

FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT:
Finalists from each division will be selected and announced on our website on Sunday April 12th, 2026 (Hawaii Time). Finalists are entitled to perform live and enter the MVP Competition on July 10th in Honolulu (Hawaii Time).

MVP COMPETITION & AWARD CEREMONY:
The 1st to 3rd place winners in each category, as well as the MVP (the individual or group with the highest total judging score among all finalists performing on the day), will be announced in Honolulu on Friday, July 10, 2026 (Hawaii Time).

Important Notes:
★Finalists who are unable to attend the award ceremony in person will not be eligible to compete in the MVP Competition. However, if they receive an award, they will still be entitled to their prize, which will be shipped via courier.
★The announcement will be streamed live (platform TBD).
★All finalists who are able to travel to Hawaii will be eligible to perform live in Hawaii.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

PRIZES:　See Awards & Prizes Page for details>
FOLLOWING AWARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JULY 10, 2026 IN HAWAII

Finalist Prizes (Category Prizes) - 1st place for each division will receive a premium ‘ukulele . 2nd and 3rd place for each division will also receive a prize.

MVP (Most Valuable Player) - A trophy and prize money of USD$500 will be awarded. Winner will be able to perform on the main stage at the International Ukulele Festival held on July 12th, 2026.

KZOO Radio Prize - The opportunity to have your original song broadcasted on KZOO Radio for 12 months.

Other Awards:
FOLLOWING AWARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 12, 2026, TOGETHER WITH THE FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE WEBSITE

Special Jury Award - Given to only one (1) contestant from among all qualified finalists for his/her use and mastery of Hawaiian mele (song) in Hawaiian language during performances.

Best Vocal Prize – Along with ukulele performance, we will judge your vocal ability. No age limitation. Special prize will be given to his/her/group’s performance.

 
Entry Gift for Everyone:
Everyone who entered the contest will receive a commemorative sticker (tentative).

Past MVP Winners:

 

JUDGES

Judges to be announced
 

ENTRY FORM

STEPS TO COMPLETE YOUR ENTRY

1. First, upload your performance (in video) to your YouTube account.
   (Please do not edit or overdub the material. Any edited materials will be disqualified.)
2. Please make sure to add hashtag #internationalukulelecontest2026 in the title or description area of your YouTube video. This help viewers and our judges find your videos more easily through search.
3. Next, enter your details in the following form to complete your entry. You must fulfill your $10 entry fee (for Groups $20).
4. Finalists will be announced on our website on Sunday April 12th, 2026 (Hawaii Time).
5. MVP Competition and the Award Ceremony will be held in Honolulu Hawaii on Friday July 10th, 2026 (Hawaii Time).

ENTRY DEADLINE:
Monday March 30th, 2026 12 noon (Hawaii Time)

PAYMENT METHOD:
After you fill out the entry form below, you will be redirected to the PayPal website to make the payment, so please do not close your browser after submitting the form.